Unit of Bala Mandir Kamaraj Trust
Pre-Vocational & Life Skills Training (Jivikam)
Introduction
A common question from parents in the Upanayan Early Intervention Program is, “What next?” The answer is not easy. The query highlights the importance of preparing children for mainstream integration as recognized and accepted members of society. Jivikam establishes a comprehensive pathway for children with special needs to transition from the Upanayan Early Intervention Program to school education and life skills training, effectively preparing children for a socially useful and productive adulthood.
Current Educational Pathways
There are several academic pathways designed to meet the unique and diverse needs of children with special needs:
- Mainstream School Education
- Designed for cognitively higher functioning children who have received training in self-management and daily living activities.
- Approximately 10% of children from the Upanayan Early Intervention Program progress to this level.
- Special School Education with Vocational Training for Employability
- This option serves the majority of our children (approximately 60-70%) who complete the Upanayan Early Intervention Program.
- These children are eligible for special school education with vocational training for supervised sheltered employment in their adult years.
- Group Activity Centres
- For the subset of children with multiple disabilities, and again depending on the condition, type, level and degree of disability, this pathway allows for training in self-management and certain specific life skills.
- About 10-20% of our children may benefit from this option.
- This also enables parents to create productive activity centres.
Introducing Jivikam
Jivikam was developed to enhance employability among children with Intellectual Disability and associated conditions and fulfill the commitment of training every child to lead a socially useful and productive life.
Jivikam (employability) is inspired by the word Jivika, which means source of life, reflecting our mission to empower children with the skills and support they need to thrive.
The training provided through Jivikam encompasses both special school education and prevocational training based on the Madras Developmental Programming System, alongside vocational skills development geared towards job placement. Our primary focus is to equip children with skills for vocations that can be established within their own communities, tailored to local needs and supported by available resources.
The hubs we create will serve not only as activity centers for micro-level production but also as integral components of larger small-scale enterprises in the region. These hubs are designed to collaborate with each, fostering a network that enhances shared interests and resources. All services will adhere to standardized protocols, ensuring authenticity and legal compliance.
Key Components of Jivikam
- Assessment of Innate Potential – Each child’s innate abilities are evaluated using a structured assessment scale to establish a baseline performance level as per the criteria listed in the AAIDD Definition of Intellectual Disability.
- Individualized Program Plan (IPP) – Following assessment, training is personalized through an IPP based on the Madras Developmental Programming System.
- Activity-Based Training – The curriculum focuses on developing essential work-related skills through activity-based learning.
- Holistic Development – Over a typical school tenure of 6 to 12+ years, children are trained in functional academics alongside vocational skills, preparing them for specialized vocational areas.
For more enquiries on Jivikam or to get involved, please Contact Us.